Three villages in Guildford have been identified as having potential for major growth.

A new green belt and countryside study, released by Guildford Borough Council, also identifies Shere and Gomshall as being appropriate for development in exceptional circumstances – despite being situated in the Surrey Hills area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).

The new document is part of the preparations for a local plan to guide development in the borough until 2031. A draft is expected to go to public consultation next month.

The three areas suitable for major development are Normandy and Flexford, Send, and Send Marsh and Burntcommon because their potential sustainability would "outweigh the potential harm to the openness and purposes of the green belt".

The population of Normandy and Flexford could grow by 2,216 before it reaches its "critical mass", more than doubling the size with a potential site to the west of Glaziers Lane.

In Send, the population could grow from 2,314 to 4,000 people by developing a site north of Send Marsh Road.

In Send Marsh and Burntcommon, land adjacent to the A3 could be used to increase the population from 1,931 to 2,069 people.

Chilworth, East Horsley, Fairlands, Pirbright, Ripley, Shalford and Wood Street Village would not be appropriate for major development, says the report. Development of land in Shalford and Chilworth, in the AONB, was also ruled out.

Monika Juneja, lead councillor for planning and governance, said it may be necessary to build in the countryside to achieve the borough’s housing and business needs.

“It is important to emphasise that we have not made a decision on future development sites,” she said. “Our evidence base documents provide information on options available and the level of growth we can potentially accommodate.

“Our specialists, Pegasus, identified the potential development areas in Volume V [the new green belt study] through an assessment of sites that may be developed without harming the main purpose of the green belt.

“It is important to note that only those that appear in the new strategic housing land availability assessment could be made available for future use. We will need to consider the green belt and countryside study with our other evidence documents to ensure we plan for a sustainable future. I encourage everyone to view the documents and give their feedback in our draft local plan consultation.”

The green belt study considered a number of other possible sites including previously developed land such as Pirbright Barracks and Peasmarsh Industrial estate, an additional site south of Tongham and the proposed new settlement at the former Wisley Airfield site.

Susan Parker, chairman of Guildford Greenbelt Group, said: “I think they are not listening to people who have responded . They are showing no understanding of the genuine concern expressed and they are continuing planning to roll back the green belt. There is a lot of brownfield land in Guildford – at least 50 hectares in the Walnut Tree Close area – suitable for a regeneration zone and you could put all of Guildford’s real housing needs in that area.

“Well-designed flats and terraced housing would be appropriate for that urban context and would be what Guildford needs.